Meghen Comes Down On Extortion Culture

GUWAHATI, Jun 9: Taking serious note of the growing culture of armed gangs donning the mask of revolutionaries and extorting from the public in the name of fighting for a cause, UNLF chairman RK Meghen, who is presently under the custody of the National Investigation Agency, has urged all to shun such a culture and start earning their own livelihood instead of draining the public.

Speaking to reporters after being produced before a special court by the NIA today, the rebel leader said that serving extortion notices and lobbing bombs, opening fire and threatening the public, in case the demand is not met is not a healthy trend for the future of the land and the people.

This scourge should be met collectively; he said and added that proper guidance too should be given to those masquerading as revolutionaries.

Instead of looting from the public in the name of revolutionaries, it would be far more productive to usher in a work culture, said Meghen and urged all those who have taken the wrong path to reform so that all can live together in peace and harmony.

On the announcement of the Chief Minister daring the militants to come forward and take part in the election process to see whether they enjoy the support of the people or not, Meghen said that the plebiscite model mooted by the UNLF is akin to what the Chief Minister said.

The UNLF leader said, “We welcome the Chief Minister’s challenge to see whether the public support the militants or not” and added that the UNLF will respect the mandate of the people in any forum held under the supervision of the United Nations.

Deploying a large number of security forces and asking the people to come out and vote in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation can never be free or fair, said the UNLF Chairman.

Responding to queries from the reporters, Meghen said that the UNLF believes in the principles of democracy and in the welfare of the people.

From the very beginning the UNLF has been committed to ushering in a society where there is equality for all, where there is no distinction between the hills and the valley and in harmonious co-existence.

Acknowledging the role of the media in Manipur Meghen urged all not to intimidate media persons.

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